Yesterday, during our bus ride, there was this guy sitting in the seats meant for people with children, the elderly, those who are pregnant and disabled. What peeved me off was that he was occupying TWO seats – yes, he basically spread his butt cheeks across two seats.

Never mind. I prefer to stand since Eva likes looking out the windows and such. Then about five stops later, he started coughing and without closing his mouth. I could see saliva flying everywhere! As if that wasn’t disgusting enough, he then proceeded to clear his throat on the top of his voice and spat right into a roll of toilet paper that he pulled out from his pocket. Once he was done, he stuffed the paper back into his pocket and cleared his throat over and over again.

The people beside me were all disgusted by this man – it was obvious on their faces. Some even quickly moved to the back of the bus and the ladies standing beside me hurriedly turned to face the window.

Then today, as I was heading to my regular window-shopping spot, this young man walking ahead of me started spitting onto the pavement!!! So what if it was raining and the spot he spat on was wet with rain? It’s still disgusting nonetheless. As if once wasn’t good enough, he did it THREE times! I started scolding him in French as I headed past him; I doubt he even heard me though.

I have lost count of the number of times I’ve seen people – young and old – spit everywhere and cough/sneeze with their mouths open, both in Singapore and Malaysia, but I hardly come across this in Australia, France and Switzerland. Is it an Asian habit?

But really, what’s wrong with these people? Don’t they realize that it’s not just rude and disgusting but it’s also inconsiderate and dirty? Dirty because you spread your germs around and inconsiderate because your bodily fluids end up all over the place (and onto people). If you must clear your throat, swallow back your spit or go to a toilet. If you must cough or sneeze, cover up!

Now I’ve the beginnings of the flu and I’m quite sure I caught it from buggers like these dirty people! =.=